South Korea’s state-run land developer says it has signed a deal with southern Sudan to build its new capital after it becomes a country next month.

LH Corporation said Thursday it will lend technical support in devising a master plan for the capital of the world’s newest country.

Southern Sudan’s capital is currently located in Juba but it is considering creating a new city in recognition of its independence.

The south officially becomes independent from the north on July 9. The two sides fought a 21-year war that ended with a 2005 peace deal. The south voted overwhelmingly to split from the north in a referendum in January.